The Russellville School Board learned Tuesday night the Midwest Dairy Council will donate $5,000 to Crawford Elementary School on Jan. 7.

The money will be directed toward expanding the school's breakfast programs, Cricket Scott, a representative of the council, told the board.

The board also recognized Russellville High School (RHS) social studies teacher Paul Gray Jr., who was named Arkansas teacher of the year at a Dec. 5 ceremony in Little Rock.

"I think probably what sold them [on Gray] is when they went into the classroom and saw him teach," Superintendent Randall Williams said, while others in the room praised Gray's ability to "inspire students."

Gray, who teaches world geography, Advanced Placement human geography and international relations at RHS, will take a year off teaching - a requirement stipulated by the award - to travel the state and advise the Arkansas Board of Education in a non-voting capacity.

National board certification is typically a one-to three-year process in which candidates must undergo an assessment; submit a portfolio and video tapes of themselves teaching in the classroom; and identify both their teaching strengths and weaknesses.